Posts Tagged ‘Hartford’

On Saturday, July 23rd, an open casting call was held at Young Studios in Hartford, Connecticut for several key supporting characters and featured background players in an upcoming SAG production, entitled Diamond Ruff.

The movie is a part of the Diamond Ruff Project, which includes a novel of the same name written and published by Joe Young, Jr.  The book is a social commentary set in the backdrop of Hartford. Young adapted the Diamond Ruff novel into a screenplay, and is not gearing up to turn it into an independently produced full length feature film. The plot follows the main character, Diamond Ruff, who is a con artist who crosses paths with a  preacher, Rev. Trek Woods, and together, they end up becoming an impetus for change in the world around them.

The production is currently seeking both union and non-union performers, as well as models and newcomers. The cast calls for a range of children and adults of all ages and ethnicities, with many roles open for African American children and adults. The film will be shooting in Hartford.

For those that were not able to attend the open call, you can email a current photo and your contact info to: [email protected]

Hartford born television host, Brooke Burke shares her tips for doing it all in a self-help book for the modern mom.  In “The Naked Mom: True Confessions, Authentic Advice and Smart Reflections on Modern Motherhood” Burke shares how the mother of four juggles her career as host of “Dancing with the Stars” and raising her young children.

Although born in Hartford, Connecticut, Burke moved to Arizona and a young age and earned a broadcast journalism degree from UCLA.  Burke gained fame in the modeling world posing for men’s magazines like Playboy, Maxim and FHM.  She also led a career as a television host, hosting the E! travel show, “Wild On!” and rock band reality competition, “Rock On.”  Burke took top prize in season seven of “Dancing with the Stars” and started hosting the reality competition on season 10.

Burke has two children with ex-husband Garth Fisher and two children with her fiance, French singer and actor David Charvet.  Burke’s four kids range in age from 11-year-old, Neriah to her only son, three-year-old Shaya.

It’s been a year in the making and subject to months of delays, but Connecticut Studio LLC’s proposed $50 million studio-sound stage is finally ready for action.

According to Hartfordbusiness.com, General Manager Mark Miller will be joined by Gov. M. Jodi Rell, Congressman John Larson, South Windsor Mayor John Pelkey and other state and local officials this week to announce the groundbreaking for the project, now a 61-acre plot in South Windsor near the junction of Interstate 291 and Route 5. Construction for the movie studio is estimated to create as many as 500 union construction jobs over the next eight to ten months.

The 500,000-square-foot project will include nine movie-TV sound stages, executive offices, mill and storage facilities and space for locating shooting, and will be funded in part by Connecticut film tax credits. A 125-room hotel, four restaurants and retail space were also included in the original plans.

Let us know what you think about this new movie studio!

★ Celebrity hot-spot Felt nightclub hosts a Hollywood themed trivia night for their weekly ladies night evening special. Be prepared to hear Ben Affleck’s name dropped a few times.

★ Former Boston investment banker cultivates future of independent filming in Massachusetts through appeals to local investors and taking advantage of state tax credits.

★ Boston magazine spotlights a Truro, MA native, and Emmy nominated artist/designer from “The Muppets” and “Sesame Street”.

★ The Hartford Courant recalls films made in Connecticut.

★ The Boston Globe bemoans the Beantown onslaught of celebrities.

★ Harry Potter exhibition comes to the Boston Museum of Science in October.